Dartmouth police seek charges in lawmaker's assault

The alleged assault of a state lawmaker outside a youth basketball clinic may have been sparked by the man being denied a job with the state, police in Dartmouth said.

A criminal complaint filed Wednesday against David Oliveira alleges he attacked state Rep. Christopher Markey on Saturday, sending the lawmaker to the hospital for two days with a collapsed lung and possible rib fractures.

A clerk magistrate in New Bedford District Court will hear the complaint and decide whether a charge of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon should move forward. No date for the hearing has been scheduled.

Markey, 45, D-Dartmouth, told police he was at a youth basketball clinic at an elementary school with one of his children when he stepped outside for a phone call. He told authorities Oliveira, 44, launched a profanity-laced attack and blamed Markey because he had failed to land a state job.

Authorities said Markey reported Oliveira poked him in the chest with his finger, pushed him into a wall and when Markey tried to walk away and re-enter the building, grabbed his arm and lowered his shoulder into his chest.

Markey went back into the building but went to a hospital after experiencing shortness of breath and chest pain.

Oliveira's lawyer said he hadn't seen the police report, but called it an "unfortunate incident" and said he wishes Markey a full recovery.

The Boston Herald reports Oliveira is a former aide to the late U.S. Sen. Edward M. Kennedy and retired U.S. Rep.

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